Synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide) with a terminal amino group by anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide initiated by aminoalcoholates

Poly(ethylene oxide)s having a primary or secondary amino group at one chain end have been synthesized by direct anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide initiated by aminoalcoholates. The ring opening reaction of ethylene oxide by the amino group could be avoided when the alcoholate was reactive enough, that is, with potassium alcoholates in dry aprotic medium (THF). In this case, a living anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide occurred, with full conversion of the monomer. This is shown by the NMR and molecular weight characterizations of the polymers and kinetic studies of the polymerization.